June 2016 - Savings Room

7 awesome things to do in Bali

by Penina June 30, 2016

written by Penina

The island of Bali, in Indonesia, is one of the world’s top tourist attractions for travelers seeking respite from the pressures of modern life. Bali attracts people who want to live life large, whether they are looking for culture or relaxation, Bali delivers. If find yourself on this little slice of paradise, here are some popular Bali activities you can engage in during your stay.

Watch an unforgettable sunset

Sunsets in Bali are incredible. Be sure to catch at least one sunset during your trip. Consider heading out to popular vantage points like Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot and the El Kabron. Hire a local guide to show you all the best places to get the most out of your trip.

Wenni / Pixabay

Visit Bali’s famous rice paddies

Rice paddies might not be your picture of a beach-style holiday but the ones on Bali are charming. Due to their position on mountain slopes, most paddies look like amphitheatres, which are both practical and picturesque. The water from higher planes flows naturally downward, irrigating the entire paddy evenly, creating beautiful, lush and majestic scenery for all to enjoy.

Skitterphoto / Pixabay

Enjoy the local cuisine

Bali’s streets house a large number of quality vendors who are well worth a taste. You can still find high-end restaurants in Bali where you can find the world’s cuisines ready to try. Whatever your preference, Bali’s popular dishes include Babi Guling (spit-roasted pig), Sate Lilit (spiced mince on lemongrass sticks) and Ayam Betutu (spiced chicken on banana leaves).

duybox / Pixabay

Go snorkeling

The snorkeling sites at Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are excellent avenues for getting acquainted with Bali’s underwater life. These boast an incredibly high level of biodiversity. The pristine ocean plays host to thousands of must-see species, including crowd favorites like the Emporer Angel Fish, Moray Eel and the Manta Ray.

sailormn34 / Pixabay

Climb Mount Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano that last erupted in 2000. Nonetheless it is deemed safe and is an exciting climb for tourists who want the adventure of climbing inside a real volcano crater. For best your best time ever, consider taking part in the 2am night hike aimed at reaching Mount Batur’s summit at day break. The views at the top are breathtaking and world renowned.

Unsplash / Pixabay

Practice surfing

Bali is the perfect place to learn to surf, whether you’ve ever stepped on a surfboard or not. Instructors are dedicated and available for all skill levels. You can find them in and around popular beaches like Dreamland and Padang Padang. Otherwise, try your stamina at other water sports like parasailing and underwater scooter riding!

Arief_Sulung / Pixabay

Explore traditional Bali

Before it became a tourist mecca, Bali was a full-fledged centre for the arts. The island boasts plentiful cultural activities encasing age-old customs. Visit Ubud, the island’s cultural hub, to explore famed Balinese traditions like Kecak dancing, fruit carving and batik crafting.

stux / Pixabay

Bali is one of the world’s most spectacular destinations combining serenity, a unique and thriving cultural scene. Consider spending your next holiday in Bali. This incredible experience will bring lifelong memories for you and the family.
Note: Always read cautions and government travel websites for updates on visiting any country. Read Savings Room terms and conditions related to information given on this website, which is not formal advice.

June 30, 2016 0 comment

Latest Renovation Tips

5 common renovation mistakes to avoid

by Penina June 22, 2016

written by Penina

Renovating your house can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. At the same time, it can also be the kind of undertaking that can cause major headaches. Dodgy contractors, hidden costs and poor decisions can all lead to major renovation regret. So how can you overhaul your home without running into problems?
Here are 5 common renovation mistakes to avoid as a starting point.

Underestimating cost

This is perhaps the most expensive mistake you can make and while it may sound obvious, many renovators lowball their budget. If there is one thing that’s certain during a home renovation, it’s that you’re bound to run into some hidden surprises. Your best bet is to meet with several qualified contractors and get a series of quotes. Then you can get a feel for the kind of figure you’ll be working with. Play it safe and set aside 15% of the total cost of renovation for emergencies. A dodgy drywall might seem like a problem now, but it’s even more of a pain when you need to come up with extra funds on short notice.

Unsplash / Pixabay

Renovating on impulse and without intent

They say if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, and that is never more true than when it comes to home improvement. Deciding to renovate because you’re suddenly sick of the lounge room is a sure fire way to slip up. A rushed renovation will also result in a domino effect of disasters – budgets will blow out, decisions are made in the moment and not carefully considered. It’ll leave you with an expensive eyesore that – with the right amount of preparation – could have been something special. Always renovate with intent and understand your objectives, whether it’s to increase your property value or so you can improve your living conditions for the next few years. Once you have a goal, you can plan towards achieving it.

Gambling on D-I-Y

Hidden deep inside every home owner is the unashamed belief that they’re a master builder. We live in a DIY era, where people are convinced that a quick YouTube tutorial means they can tackle a total home renovation. DIY is definitely your best bet for smaller parts of the job. For the important stuff – tiling, plumbing and electrical – it’s essential that you outsource and consult with experts. Gambling on DIY can lead to lowering the resale value or worse, having to hire a professional to fix your faulty work!

Cutting corners and choosing the cheapest

Much like those desperate to DIY, there are also renovators who are tempted to take the thriftiest option. A total home renovation is a big financial commitment, so there’s often a temptation to cut corners. When you’re getting quotes for the job, be sure to ask questions and don’t always jump at the cheapest offer. A few thousand dollars in quotes could be the difference between a nasty overhaul or a top shelf transformation. Then there are the elements that require the expertise of a licensed professional – jobs like asbestos removal or gas installation. Don’t gamble on your best mates’ brother, who’ll “do it for a discount.” There are many licensed tradies for hire on Airtasker that are worth looking into.

jarmoluk / Pixabay

Renovating the wrong house

One of the most common mistakes renovators make is trying to follow trends when transforming a house. Nothing dates a house quicker than a renovation based on fads or fashion. Instead of going for what’s “in,” stay true to the house’s original character. If your property has a French provincial feel, use the best elements of that style in your redesign. It also makes for a more cost friendly overhaul as you can use a lot of existing infrastructure while just changing the cosmetic look of the property.

June 22, 2016 0 comment

Latest

5 reasons to invest in a good website for your business

by Penina June 16, 2016

written by Penina

Running a business without a website is like hosting a party without sending out the invites – it’s really not in your best interests. Investing in a good website is one of the smartest moves you can make. Whether you’re selling products or running a café, the benefits are multiple – here are five of them.

1. Visibility

Whether you are a small or large business, it is equally important to invest in a good website. Why? To get on the map and to get visibility for your brand. A good website is a perfect tool for extending your reach beyond the local neighbourhood and bringing in new customers. As a growing or larger business, it becomes even more important to have a credible, authentic online image to back up what’s in store. Getting on the map is the first step to unlocking your business’s potential, and hiring a professional team such as 40/40 Creative, a Gold Coast web design agency, is a great way to get started.

2. The flow-on effect

The possibilities are endless. Well, almost endless. Reach larger audiences, utilise advertising tools across platforms like Facebook and Google, open up the possibility for third party links to your page or build a social network with local bloggers to help promote your page – these are just some of the incentives.

3. SEO (Even the basics)

Whether you’re familiar with how SEO works or new to the concept, it is definitely something worth looking into. Many website developers offer a simplistic SEO suite to help get you started, ranging across free and paid methods. However, if you’re after the most optimal use of SEO, it might be worth looking into using an outside source for help.

Image Source: muneebfarman / Pixabay

4. Another sales medium

By investing in a good website, you are ultimately giving your customers another sales access point, which in turn heightens your chances of making a conversion. The benefit for businesses that don’t specialise in the sale of products are a little different, but it’s still important. Either way, without this access point, the chances of new customers choosing your business over someone else’s is much diminished.

5. Information base

Branding, branding and more branding. Tell your audience more about who you are, what you do and why. Provide any information they might need to make a decision, and educate them on why they should choose you. Give your brand a personality and an image. Running a business opens up a world of problems and opportunities. Investing in a good website definitely falls under the opportunities category and is something worth looking into.

June 16, 2016 0 comment